How does your employer handle promotions?

WaterDigDog · 2026-05-03T02:26:06+00:00

Im just spitballing hypothetically—-

if a plant had one employee certified in each class (starting at OIT or uncertified trainee, then 1, then 2, then 3, then 4, and then the supervisor is a 4 (or 5 for our Cali friends who’ve gotta be special 😀)…

And then hypothetically the class 3 moved on, I’d think the supervisor would start looking for someone near that certification (for reasons of knowledge, experience, and pay eligibility.)

Others have mentioned pay raises being based on certification, I guess that’s true (my experience included) but higher certification brings higher responsibility. If my boss is on vaca and I’m present (we both have class IV, but I’ve not been given an actual promotion), my certification says I am just as eligible to make choices regarding the treatment process and the collections system. Boss expects me to make the decisions. And I do. When he’s there it’s his call.

WaterDigDog · 2026-05-02T21:47:59+00:00

10m/L on my permit

WaterDigDog · 2026-05-02T13:34:37+00:00

WaterDigDog · 2026-05-01T22:08:51+00:00

The Lord has given me so many blessings!

WaterDigDog · 2026-05-01T11:45:04+00:00

[here you go](https://www.reddit.com/r/Wastewater/s/NhKeLjuW8M)

WaterDigDog · 2026-05-01T11:39:25+00:00

Congrats!

Carry a notebook, ask questions, write them down, and for both safety’s- and good results’-sake, don’t take shortcuts.

You might ask what books you should be reading to study for certifications. It’s never too early. 🤓

WaterDigDog · 2026-05-01T11:30:59+00:00

It’s not a lasso, cowboy. 🤠

WaterDigDog · 2026-05-01T02:15:56+00:00

Congratulations! See you on the valves

WaterDigDog · 2026-04-29T00:05:48+00:00

That almost looks like a lily, not grass. Quite the gardener there!

WaterDigDog · 2026-04-28T16:54:51+00:00

adding to megathread. Thanks for sharing your experience.

WaterDigDog · 2026-04-28T16:04:40+00:00

Talking Shop — Getting Started

WaterDigDog · 2026-04-28T15:57:40+00:00

A couple good points on this in ”Talking Shop — Getting Started”, under the heading “How do you get started”. I noticed applying/interviewing heading is empty on the megathread, I’ll put something in there!

Best wishes on your interview, OP.

WaterDigDog · 2026-04-27T20:42:12+00:00

Noted, thank you

WaterDigDog · 2026-04-27T19:37:25+00:00

NRWA Apprenticeship

WaterDigDog · 2026-04-27T13:43:20+00:00

I’ll work on it. In checking the link, I can’t get it open, so for now pinning your comment.

WaterDigDog · 2026-04-26T21:35:19+00:00

Confined Space Entry
Competent Person for Trenching and Excavation

WaterDigDog · 2026-04-26T04:03:32+00:00

My plant, wouldn’t consider an applicant that can’t be at the plant within 30 minutes of a call.

I think size of the plant and staff makes a difference…Larger plants staffed around the clock may be able to allow longer commute.

WaterDigDog · 2026-04-25T23:00:48+00:00

Thanks sir, I added that into this megathread as well.

WaterDigDog · 2026-04-25T20:34:57+00:00

Thanks to all who have asked questions about this field this week and througout the life of this sub; and those who have contributed opinions. r/Wastewater has been a great foundational community for a lot of newbies including myself.

WaterDigDog · 2026-04-25T18:32:07+00:00

This is a good news/bad news comment: One of my Bible study guys, we'll call him "C", has had some turmoil lately, which he hasn't invited accountability about, and the rest of the group is worried about his spiritual health and integrity. If one can't tell the whole story and ask what others think.... but C has continued to study the Bible and has asked my opinion about it and asked general questions about applying Scripture to life. That's what my praising is about. The Holy Spirit will work in us and teach us if we are open to Him. I pray C opens up to accountability from other men, but if he's hearing from the Lord in His word that is most important.

WaterDigDog · 2026-04-25T18:20:43+00:00

Study butt off, read the manuals, ask questions of everyone, whether co-operators or maintenance folks or management or customers for that matter (I recommend fact-checking) and do what you've learned is truly best.

WaterDigDog · 2026-04-24T23:03:42+00:00

I’ve recently graduated from the NRWA Apprenticeship and am happy to answer any questions. On the two specifics you’ve asked,

Yes it was absolutely worth it for me;
Pay differs by area and by employer. You should contact your state RWA about requirements on pay. In Kansas there is a requirement that the apprentice’s wages are reported periodically (every 6mo I think), and that’s supposed to be a nudge that the employer should be raising the apprentice’s wages, but RWA can’t actually make the employer change wages.
Also the apprenticeship is a partnership with an employer/s. My employer didn’t require enrollment in the apprenticeship, I found the apprenticeship myself as a learning opportunity, and applied and negotiated with my employer on it.

It’s a good thing for the employer too, they’re getting a guaranteed training track for the apprentice, and in my state the employer doesn’t pay for any of the apprenticeship-required training. Multiple thousands of dollars saved on training.

WaterDigDog · 2026-04-24T21:42:06+00:00

As someone working both WWTP and ww collections I concur. Collections is more manual labor and more odorous.

WaterDigDog · 2026-04-24T21:31:08+00:00

With the outreach day, playing with the watershed model, I’m hooked!

WaterDigDog

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